The Central and State Governments have initiated many watershed development and management programmes in the country. Some of these are being implemented by non- governmental organisations organisations also. Hariyali is a watershed development project sponsored by the Central Government which aims at enabling the rural population to conserve water for drinking, irrigation, fisheries, and afforestation. The Project is being executed by Gram Panchayat with people's participation.

Neeru- Meeru(water and you) programme ( Andhra Pradesh) and Arvary Pani Sansad(in Alwar, Rajasthan) have taken up constructions of various water-cooled harvesting structures such as percolation tanks, dug out ponds( johads), check dams, etc. , through people's participation. Tamil Nadu has made water harvesting structures in the houses compulsory. No building can be constructed without making structures for water harvesting.

Watershed development projects in some areas have been successful in rejuvenating environment and economy. However there are only a few success stories. In majority of cases the program is still in its nascent stage. There is a need to generate awareness regarding benefits of watershed development and management among people in the country, and through this integrated water resource management approach water availability can be ensured on sustainable basis.